13:00 – 15:00 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SEMINAR

In Partnership With: Old Mutual

Facilitator: Valerie Geen, National Coordinator (SA): Economic Empowerment of Women in Green Industry, UNIDO

13:00 – 13:15 Opening and Welcome

• Adv. Thabo Mokoena, Director General, Department of Mineral Resources (Invited)

13:20 – 14:10 Panel Discussion: A road map for South Africa’s energy transition

Energy insecurity has been a massive drag on not only South Africa’s economy but the sub-Saharan African region as a whole – this despite the abundant resources available. Now that clarity has emerged around energy policy, it has become possible to chart the way forward to a “just transition” that combines optimal environmental impacts with job creation and business development. Clean technology is key in this regard – not only renewable energy but also clean technology as applied to established industries such as oil, gas, mining and manufacturing. Energy efficiency is another approach that can be implemented without a lengthy bidding process – and South Africa has an enviable track record of success in this regard. On top of that, there are untapped markets to explore – like hydrogen, the best option for the transport, storage and efficient utilisation of clean energy. Unpacking practical clean energy opportunities in the short and medium term is the purpose of our first Sustainable Energy Seminar panel discussion.

• Sean Friend, Investment Director, CIO SADC
• Barry Bredenkamp, General Manager, SANEDI
• Adrian Strydom, CEO (Acting), SAOGA
• Marie Blanche Ting, Associate Research Fellow, Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex
• Faith Mkhacwa, Industrial Energy Efficiency Project Manager, NCPC-SA

14:15 – 15:00 Panel Discussion: Renewable energy as a driver of economic recovery

South Africa has endured an electricity generation crisis for more than ten years – an economic ball and chain. Now, with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, renewables are set to play a major role in generating the affordable electricity that the country needs to stimulate broad-based opportunities. The Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 foresees the introduction of some 12000 MW of renewable capacity over the next 3 to 4 years. Cheapest to build and easiest to finance, renewable energy is also where government can leverage private balance sheets for wind, solar and other sources. Our panel charts the way forward.

Facilitator: Valerie Geen, National Coordinator (SA): Economic Empowerment of Women in Green Industry, UNIDO

• Ruchi Soni, Programme Manager, Sustainable Energy for All
• Norman Moyo, Group CEO, Econet Energy
• Keith Cassie, President, Southern African Association for Energy Efficiency (SAEE)
• Vuyo Ntoi, Co-Managing Director, African Infrastructure Investment Managers
• Andrew Van Zyl, Director and Principal Consultant, SRK Consulting

Please Note: This is a Provisional Programme and will be subject to change from time to time